Order the King of Android! Get your Galaxy S25 Ultra today! Follow us on Google news!

SamMobile has affiliate and sponsored partnerships. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn a commission.

News For You
Notifications

Joker malware found in Android app with over 500k Play Store installs

General
By 

Last updated: December 22nd, 2021 at 16:20 UTC+01:00

The Joker malware was found in another popular Android app last week by security research firm Pradeo. Called “Color Message,” the app was removed by Google from the Play Store, but not before exceeding 500,000 installs.

According to the research firm, Color Message appears to be connecting to Russian servers. The app accesses the user's contact list and “exfiltrates it over the network” while automatically subscribing to unwanted paid services.

Color Message hides its app icon

One of the reasons Joker malware is difficult to detect is that it “generates a very discreet footprint.” Meanwhile, the infected Color Message app makes it harder for users to spot it, as it's capable of hiding its own app icon once installed.

Fortunately, this malicious app is no longer available for download from the Google Play Store. However, it may still be lurking on thousands of phones, Galaxy or no, that had the app installed before the Joker malware got discovered, especially since it can keep its icon hidden.

The Joker malware was also found by Quick Heal Security Labs in eight Android apps last summer, and over the last two years, the same malware got distributed through hundreds of other apps.

Color Message was seemingly designed to support as many devices as possible, so it's compatible with Android 6.0 and up.

Thankfully, there are dozens of reputable antivirus apps available for download through the Samsung Galaxy Store or the Play Store, which can keep your personal information safe. Leave a comment below if you already use one or have a favorite security solution.

Join SamMobile’s Telegram group and subscribe to our YouTube channel to get instant news updates and in-depth reviews of Samsung devices. You can also subscribe to get updates from us on Google News and follow us on Twitter.

APKGeneral Android 10Android 11Android 12Android 6.0Android 7.0Android 8.0 OreoAndroid 9Google
Galaxy AI summarized

Scroll for more related content
News For You

You might also like

Google brings improved parental controls to Galaxy phones

Google brings improved parental controls to Galaxy phones

Google has announced improved parental controls for Android phones and tablets. These improvements are available through the company's updated Family Link app. Along with new features, the app is also getting a new UI design. Galaxy phones get better parental controls via Google's Family Link app Google has redesigned the Family Link app to give […]

  • By Asif Iqbal Shaik
  • 8 hours ago
Google’s Gemini file upload feature now available for all Galaxy users

Google’s Gemini file upload feature now available for all Galaxy users

In May 2024, Google updated Gemini with the ability to allow people to upload files. It could analyze them, provide insights about them, and let users ask questions about the files. However, the feature was available only for subscribers of Gemini Advanced, the paid tier of the GenAI assistant. Well, Google has now made it […]

  • By Abid Iqbal Shaik
  • 12 hours ago
Google testing Gemini enhancements in Maps for Android

Google testing Gemini enhancements in Maps for Android

Google has been rapidly adding new features to Gemini for Android. In its latest effort to improve the GenAI assistant, the company has added its contextual chip to the Google Maps app for the OS. The latest addition makes it easier to use Google Maps with help from Gemini. According to Android Authority, while using […]

  • By Abid Iqbal Shaik
  • 13 hours ago
More Galaxy users get access to Google Home extension in Gemini

More Galaxy users get access to Google Home extension in Gemini

Gemini has been the center of Google's attention since last year. Even though it replaced Google Assistant last year, it didn't have all the features of its predecessor, including direct Google Home integration. Now, Google has widely started rolling out the Google Home extension for Gemini. More Galaxy users can now use Gemini's Google Home […]

  • By Asif Iqbal Shaik
  • 3 days ago
Samsung to bring one more option if you want music as your alarm tone

Samsung to bring one more option if you want music as your alarm tone

Samsung's One UI software offers plenty of options to make most smartphone and tablet users happy with what they want from their devices. One such feature is the ability to set music as your alarm tone. In the future, it could add one more option for that feature. Samsung Clock could get YouTube Music option […]

  • By Asif Iqbal Shaik
  • 4 days ago
Second Android 16 beta update is here with more pro-grade camera features

Second Android 16 beta update is here with more pro-grade camera features

While Samsung is struggling to release the Android 15 (One UI 7.0) update, Google has already released the Android 16 Beta 2 update for enthusiasts and developers. The update brings more display and pro-grade camera features. Android 16 Beta 2 update brings more pro-grade camera features The Android 16 Beta 2 update is now available […]

  • By Asif Iqbal Shaik
  • 4 days ago